foreword

LATE depicts a largely untold yet rather familiar tale about family and identity. Telling it from a Latina perspective is particularly important because theirs is a voice that regrettably remains largely limited to caricature in the industry.

Some of my favourite films are those stories that one might not have personal experience of, but can emotionally relate to on a fundamentally human level.

While this short strikes a chord specifically with those who have undergone similar pivotal identity realisations, being set in a culturally diverse home in the capital, this slice-of-life film is emblematic of life in London.

inspiration

Throughout my teens, with my dad often working abroad, I was periodically living alone with my Latina mother. She tended to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Her nature was characterised by a constant air of apprehension, so it was hard to gauge the gravity and urgency of any remotely disquieting situation.

One day, my mum and I were waiting for a couple to arrive for lunch. What started with us commenting on the uncharacteristic lateness of the Swedish invitees, quickly descended into overdramatically theorising about their whereabouts. They hadn’t texted to excuse their lateness. They were ignoring our messages and calls whilst evidently being online on social media.

Had they forgotten? Maybe they had an accident or an emergency? Why were they ignoring us?

story

Emil, a light-hearted 18-year-old, and his anxious Mamá await their lunch guest, Boris, a supposed old friend of hers. Boris is late. And the later he gets, the more irritable Mamá becomes.

All the roles you might expect to see in a larger family are condensed into this inseparable family of two. They bicker like a husband and wife or like siblings might. They have a sixth sense for each other’s mood shifts. They can communicate entire sentences with just a look. Mamá can be quite neurotic, but Emil gradually begins to notice that even by her standards, today she is especially anxious.

Emil assumes the role of the distractor, taking her and the audience’s mind off the source of her worries. It isn’t until Emil stumbles across her revelatory string of messages with Boris, however, that it becomes clear that he is anything but a ‘random guest’.

tone/style

I am looking for strong visuals and vibrant compositions with a reduced palette of bold, saturated primaries. These carefully considered colours are a nod to Latin culture, but are also reflective of the characters’ temperaments.

Though he doesn’t yet know it, this is a momentous day for Emil. By employing memorable and vivid visuals, I intend to depict a moment as indelible for the audience as it is for Emil.

We are aiming for understated production design enriched by the deliberate use of details and textures. Traces of the Swedish, Latin, German and British cultures that make up this family will be reflected in the furniture, books, trinkets, food, costume etc.

The entire story is contained within a London home - one that is colourful and visually striking without being opulent. 

Within that home, we see an open-plan kitchen/living room with a street view, Emil‘s bedroom and a bathroom:

share & support

Thank you for taking the time to check out my crowdfunding page!

So far, I have been funding this short film entirely on my own. I am putting all my savings into this personal project, but unfortunately it is not enough to cover all the production and post-production costs.

Please find the budget breakdown below and get a sense for what your donation is facilitating. (Though this breakdown does not account for the additional expensive process of film festival applications, I have every intention of bringing LATE to the international circuit).

Your support is crucial for this film to realise its full potential and be executed as envisioned. 

Don't forget to check out the rewards system and, if you are unable to donate, please do share the project!

Thank you for your consideration.